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Image Trimming for Signatures: Creating a Render

News Posted on 12th, July, 2012

So you don't know how to get rid of that ugly background thing from your awesome picture? Well, there are a few options you can do to fix this!

So you don't know how to get rid of that ugly background thing from your awesome picture. Well, there are a few options you can do to fix this.

First, be aware that you can actually download free "renders", which are images already cut and background free, from some great sites.

Once you have your downloaded render, in order to select your render, click the Magic Wand Tool, click on black or white background (or any other part you wish to not keep), click Select < Inverse. Then Copy and Paste onto a new image for your signature.

If you already have your heart set on a specific image, then you can always cut it yourself. I know, such a novelty. Just be prepared to give yourself a few hours to accomplish your newfound goal.

Now, there are a few different ways to accomplish this task.

1. Quick Masking

Click the Lasso Tool, Outline a rough cut of your image

Click to make your Foreground color Black

Click Quick Mask

The red will be the part of the picture you do not wish to keep.

Then using the Erase Tool, and any brush you want, erase away the red, only showing the part of the picture you want to keep.

If you erase too much, you can always add the red back by using the Brush Tool.

It should end up looking something like this:

Once you have the desired look, click on the Quick Mask Tool again, and your desired picture should be selected. Now all you have to do is copy and paste onto a new image.

Now, personally my favorite way it can be accomplished is by using the Pen Tool.

2. Pen Tool

Open your Image, then click the Pen Tool

Now click at the point of your picture you wish to start outlining. Zooming in can be extremely helpful for this tool. To zoom in click the tool that looks like a magnifying glass. At the top of the page there will be a picture of this magnifier with a plus sign and a minus sign. Plus zooms in and minus zooms out.

After zooming in and clicking your first point, continue to click points while following the outline of your picture. They do not have to be perfect, because we will fix them later.

Once you have outlined your whole picture in multiple pen points, now we must fine-tune them.

Click the Pen Tool < Add Anchor Point Tool

Click your Pen Anchor Tool right in between the points you already have. Then press down on the little square you made, and you will find that you can move it different ways. Try moving it in a way that fits the picture better.

You can also use the Pen Anchor Tool to fix any Pen Tool Clicks that you may have messed up on. Just click on the squares and move them. And if you Right Click on the Pen Click, you can delete it all together.

Once you have gone through all your pen points and decided you are happy with your pen selection, it is time to make our final selection.

On the Layer Palette, click Paths. You should see a small picture of your work path. Then click the tiny Drop Down Arrow in the right hand corner, and click Make Selection. It will then prompt you, just press OK. If you cannot find this palette, click at the top of the page: Window < Layers.

Now that you have your selection, press Edit < Copy, and then Edit < Paste onto a new Image.

I hope this tutorial has helped the beginners to Photoshop, as well as those more experienced. Be sure to keep an eye out for future tutorials, and if you ever have any questions do not hesitate to message me. Have fun making your signatures!

Written by Claire Bear PMS. Claire Bear PMS is the PMS|H2O Editorial Team Graphic Artist.